11 things you need to be prepared to do in an active-shooter situation

Authorities in Brookfield, Wisconsin, offer tips on how to react if you find yourself in an active-shooter situation.
Lou Saldivar/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Brookfield-based Applied Tactical Training Academy held a full-day seminar

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Angelica Rosa, a survivor of the Azana Salon shooting received an emotional hug from Brian Zalewski, instructor at ATTA, and Wauwatosa police captain during an all day active shooter seminar to Brookside Church Jan. 25 in Brookfield.(Photo: Karen Pilarski/Now News Group)Buy Photo

"Everything within me was silent; my mind, thoughts, and body. But my heart is pounding loudly in my chest," said Angelica Rosa, a survivor of the 2012 Azana Salon shooting.

Her audio recording was playing as the Brookfield-based Applied Tactical Training Academy held a full-day seminar on Thursday, Jan. 25, at Brookside Baptist Church to show people how to prevent and react to an active-shooter situation or another violent event.

Rosa recounted feeling terrified and praying for God's forgiveness in those scary moments. She said she begged for a second chance and promised to do better with her life. Six hours after surgery, she woke up in a hospital surrounded by friends and loved ones.

At home, she began listening to sermons on the radio. Her studies became more intense and she developed a hunger to learn about God's love, mercy and grace.

"It can't happen here is what you always hear, but it can," acting Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt said.

Chances are, you’ll never face an active-shooter situation. But if you do, you need to be prepared.

Rosa was also there in person and introduced Wauwatosa Police Capt. Brian Zalewski, an active-shooter response instructor, to participants. Even after five years, it is still emotional for Zalewski to talk about the Azana shooting. He was one of the first responders on the scene.

"This is real life. We hope it never happens, but hope is not a good plan," he said.

It is not just schools that are vulnerable, but everyday places such as nightclubs, outdoor concerts, churches or movie theaters.

"Whether it is your church, business or you and your family are wandering through Mayfair mall or Brookfield Square, having a plan of some sort is better than having no plan," said Bob Chapman, co-founder of ATTA.

Zalewski urged everyone to be prepared and do something.

He said during the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, people were found curled up in the middle of the dance floor because they didn't know what to do. Another group was crammed into a tiny bathroom 6 feet from an available exit.

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Brian Zalewski, an instructor at ATTA and a Wauwatosa police captain, was one of the first people to respond to the scene of the Azana Salon shooting. He spoke during the all-day seminar held at Brookside Church in Brookfield on Jan. 25. Pictured is the aftermath of the salon shooting. His message was for people to do something during an active-shooting situation.(Photo: Karen Pilarski/Now News Group)

In an audio recording of a 911 call from the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, a teacher who was shot at in the hallway called as a bunch of students in the library were told to get under the tables.

Zalewski there was a room attached to the library that led outside, but the teacher's reaction was to hide under tables.

A 911 audio recording was played of the Azana Salon shooting. The caller and others barricaded the room upstairs. Zalewski said they didn't have a lot of options at the time, but did a good job.

"Don't let that person or monster who is going to do something take that away from you," he said.

Zalewski encouraged people to remember three key steps: run, hide and fight.

Finally, do exactly as officers arriving on the scene instruct. The first responding officers will be focused on stopping the active shooter and creating a safe environment for medical assistance to be brought in to aid the injured.

Zalewski said no matter a person's age, physical capabilities or if they carry a gun or not, everyone needs to do something; there are options. For more information on ATTA visit http://appliedtacticaltrainingacademy.com/.

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The Brookfield-based Applied Tactical Training Academy held a full-day seminar on Thursday, Jan. 25 at Brookside Baptist Church. The seminar was to show people what they can do to prevent and react in case of an active shooter situation.
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